Beauty that Counts by Mary Kay

Mary Kay Ash Six Most Important Qualities – Chapter One: Imagination

Mary Kay Ash once said, “Our future belongs to those who see the possibilities before those possibilities become obvious.” Truer words were never spoken!

Everyone is born with imagination – that special ability to see new ideas, images or concepts in the absence of sensorial images or cues. Very few people, however, commit to building and achieving all that they imagine.

Despite all the career roadblocks and obstacles Mary Kay Ash faced, she was able to imagine a dream company that would provide women with an unlimited earning opportunity and the flexibility to pursue their life’s priorities. Instead of being deterred by the doors of corporate America that were closed to women who aspired to be decision–makers and leaders, Mary Kay Ash successfully blazed a new trail that has opened doors of opportunity for millions of women since 1963.

She often spoke about the power of imagination. Some of my favorite quotes that she often shared include:

"What you believe, you can achieve.”

“Every achievement, big or small, begins in your mind.”

“Be a dreamer. Have a sense of greatness. It has been said that if you can dream it, you can do it. And I believe that. Before your dream can become a reality, you have to see it in your own mind; see its fulfillment, whatever it may be.”

“You can go as far as your mind lets you.”

“Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless.”

“Believe in yourself and know that you can do anything in this world that you want to do if you want to do it badly enough and you are willing to travel the road. Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe and enthusiastically act upon must inevitably come to pass.”

Imagination is also the ability of the mind to be creative or resourceful. At a time when banks would not lend a woman – a widow – the money to start a business, Mary Kay Ash had to rely on her resourcefulness to stretch $5000 – her life’s savings – to fund the start-up of Mary Kay Cosmetics on September 13, 1963. Just weeks after her husband and business partner died after a massive heart attack and empowered by her vision, Mary Kay Ash found a way – made a way – to squeeze the most out of every dollar invested in the business.

Today, the future is bright for millions of women and their families in nearly 40 countries around the world, because Mary Kay Ash imagined what no one could see, and she was committed to showing the world that one woman can do amazing things.